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Proper specimen collection and handling of vaginal samples is crucial for accurate results. The vaginal vault and walls should be swabbed using one or two swabs. If any fluid has pooled in other areas, these areas should be swabbed as well. The swabs should then be placed in a tube containing 0.5 ml saline and examined within two hours of collection. The sample should remain at room temperature.
After obtaining the sample, it is equally important to properly prepare the slide for examination. The direct, unstained slide should be prepared as follows:
- Vigorously mix the swab(s) in and out of the saline making sure to collect all the material adhering to the side of the tube.
- Remove the swab from the saline and depress onto a clean, dry microscope slide expressing a small amount of fluid.
- Coverslip the sample and examine under a microscope.
The KOH slide may be prepared by adding a drop of KOH to the sample after following the directions as noted above. The saline slide should be examined first to allow the KOH to properly digest other cellular elements in the sample such as epithelial and blood cells.
The pH and the amine ("whiff") test often are performed before the microscopic examination. The clinician tests the pH at the time of sample collection. A pH greater than 4.5 may indicate bacterial vaginosis (BV) or trichomoniasis. The amine test is performed prior to cover slipping the KOH preparation. A "fishy" or amine odor is characteristic in the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Gardnerella vaginalis.
Begin the microscopic review of the slide by examining the saline preparation. The examination should begin using the 10x objective noting cellular distribution and obvious cellular and fungal elements. The 40x objective is used to identify the presence of white and red blood cells, quantity and type of bacteria present, clue cells, motile Trichomonas, yeasts, and fungal hyphae. The KOH slide should be examined with the 10x objective for any yeast and hyphae present and the 40x objective is used to distinguish smaller budding yeasts and hyphae.
Common causes of bacterial vaginitis include Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Candida albicans. All of these infections can be diagnosed by direct examination. The absence or presence of white blood cells and normal vaginal flora are clues that can be directly related to the causative agent of infection. The amine test and vaginal pH also can help to determine the cause of infection.
Trichomoniasis is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. This single-celled parasite is transmitted sexually. Commonly, the parasite is motile with its flagella whipping back and forth. However, it may not be motile and can easily be missed or confused with white blood cells. The infection is associated with large numbers of white cells with a positive amine test and the absence of normal vaginal flora.
Gardnerella vaginalis is often characterized as non-specific vaginitis. Microscopically it is characterized by a lack of normal vaginal flora and a predominance of many small coccobacilli. The small bacteria adhere to the surface of the epithelial cells creating a speckled appearance. These speckled cells are called "clue cells" and their presence is considered diagnostic for Gardnerella vaginalis induced vaginitis. Gardnerella infections do not provoke a large white blood cell response and have a positive amine test.
Yeast infections, commonly caused by Candida albicans, are easily identified upon direct examination. As expected, the direct examination will yield budding yeasts and hyphae. The use of KOH enhances the recovery of these fungal elements. Yeasts provoke a large white blood cell response with a negative amine test. Normal vaginal flora will be present.
Laboratories should establish their own criteria for diagnosing vaginitis. In most cases, the direct examination of vaginal secretions in a symptomatic patient will result in the proper diagnosis of the infection and allow for prompt treatment. Use of vaginal lubricants, douches, tampons, contraceptive jelly, and medications may interfere with the examination. Patients should avoid using these items before sample collection. In some cases, the Gram stain may be used to aid in the diagnosis of these patients.
What else can I help you with?
What is an Introduction for a wet mount slide essay?
An introduction for an essay on wet mount slides could briefly explain what wet mount slides are and why they are important in biology. It could also mention their common applications in viewing live organisms under a microscope and the process of preparing a wet mount slide.
What does the stain on a wet mount slide do?
The stain on a wet mount slide helps to enhance the visibility of structures or organisms present on the slide by adding contrast. This allows for easier observation and identification of the specimens under a microscope.
What Slide mount is used for viewing an Elodea leaf?
A wet mount slide is typically used to view an Elodea leaf under a microscope. This type of slide allows the leaf to remain in a hydrated state, which is important for observing its cellular structure and processes.
Contrast a prepared slide and a wet-mount slide?
A prepared slide is sealed by acrylic or any other medium. After the solvent evaporates, the specimen is locked under the slip. On the other hand, a wet mount slide has the specimen prepared just before it is put under microscope.
What does WM mean on a prepared slide?
WM likely stands for wet mount. A wet mount is a technique in biology where a specimen is suspended in a drop of liquid on a microscope slide and covered with a cover slip. This allows for the examination of living organisms or specimens in their natural state under a microscope.
What is an Introduction for a wet mount slide essay?
An introduction for an essay on wet mount slides could briefly explain what wet mount slides are and why they are important in biology. It could also mention their common applications in viewing live organisms under a microscope and the process of preparing a wet mount slide.
What is to mount a slide?
A wet mount slide is when a solution is applied to a microscope slide with whatever subject is being studied, typically under a slip cover.
What are the steps to make a wet mount slide?
You need the bottom of the the slide, the you put a specimen on it. After put a drop of water on it then put the cover and apply pressure.
What is another name for a temporary slide on a microscope?
Wet mount.
What does the stain on a wet mount slide do?
The stain on a wet mount slide helps to enhance the visibility of structures or organisms present on the slide by adding contrast. This allows for easier observation and identification of the specimens under a microscope.
What Slide mount is used for viewing an Elodea leaf?
A wet mount slide is typically used to view an Elodea leaf under a microscope. This type of slide allows the leaf to remain in a hydrated state, which is important for observing its cellular structure and processes.
What are the steps of the wet mount?
the five steps to making a wet mount slide is 1.use a flat glass slide to prepare a wt mount slide 2.suck up a few drops of water from your liquid specimen into a medicaine dropper 3.pick up the wet mount slide on the 2 outer sides of the slides 4.place the specimen your using into the water 5.place the top cover slips on the top of the water with the specimen in it (: (: (: (: (: (: (: (: (: (:
Contrast a prepared slide and a wet-mount slide?
A prepared slide is sealed by acrylic or any other medium. After the solvent evaporates, the specimen is locked under the slip. On the other hand, a wet mount slide has the specimen prepared just before it is put under microscope.
Can you save a wet mount to look at during a later class period?
A wet mount slide is not recommended to be saved for a later class period as it can dry out and affect the quality of the specimen. It is best to prepare a new wet mount slide each time you want to examine a specimen to ensure accurate results.
Purpose of making a wet mount slide of onion skin tissue?
Making it yummy
What are the microscope slide related exhibitions abroad?
Are dry mount,wet mount,prepared slides,and smears
What does WM mean on a prepared slide?
WM likely stands for wet mount. A wet mount is a technique in biology where a specimen is suspended in a drop of liquid on a microscope slide and covered with a cover slip. This allows for the examination of living organisms or specimens in their natural state under a microscope.
